Ruptured Eardrum Treatments
Many ruptured eardrums heal on their own, but others need attentive treatment. Our specialists at Stanford Health Care recommend personalized treatment based on how the tear affects your ear. We offer world-class surgery when needed, and help you prevent more ear problems from developing.
What We Offer for Ruptured Eardrum
- Globally recognized expertise: You'll see providers at one of the top ear, nose, and throat (ENT) centers in the world. We have trusted expertise in the diagnosis and treatment of a ruptured eardrum.
- Groundbreaking treatments: We offer advanced treatments for a ruptured eardrum that require in-depth knowledge and surgical expertise.
- Team-based approach: Our specialists work together to plan and provide perforated eardrum treatment tailored to your needs. You’ll have access to ENT doctors, surgeons, and hearing and balance specialists if needed.
- Clinical trials: We are dedicated to broadening options for the diagnosis and treatment of ruptured eardrum and its complications. Our active research efforts provide eligible patients with access to promising therapies.
- Ease of access: You can find providers, treatment, and support services at convenient locations across the Bay Area. We make it simple to get the care you need—anywhere and anytime.
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Interested in an Online Second Opinion?
The Stanford Medicine Online Second Opinion program offers you easy access to our world-class doctors. It’s all done remotely, and you don’t have to visit our hospital or one of our clinics for this service. You don’t even need to leave home!
Visit our online second opinion page to learn more.
You and your doctor will discuss a treatment plan that best fits your needs for a ruptured eardrum. Your doctor will also help manage any complications from the tear, such as ear infection or hearing loss.
Smaller eardrum perforations may heal on their own. Some holes may never heal on their own, but do not cause significant symptoms. In both cases, our specialists check on your eardrum over time. We offer several treatment options if a long-term perforation leads to complications, such as infection, or impacts your hearing.
Ruptured eardrums often result from or cause middle ear infections (otitis media). Your doctor may recommend antibiotic medication, given as pills or liquid ear drops.
We prevent and manage ear infections as soon as possible. Infection can cause more serious problems to develop, such as:
- Balance difficulties
- Conductive hearing loss or sensorineural hearing loss
- Damaged ossicles (hearing bones in the middle ear)
- Facial nerve paralysis
We offer specialized surgery to fix the tear in your eardrum. Surgery also helps prevent repeated tears and ear infections. Your doctor may recommend surgery if:
- The hole does not close over time.
- The hole leads to frequent ear infections and drainage
- Other complications exist or develop, such as damaged ossicles, or hearing loss.
Our specialists may repair the hole in your eardrum using:
- Paper patch myringoplasty: Your surgeon covers the rupture using a temporary paper material. The procedure prompts a natural response from your body to help heal the rupture.
- Tympanoplasty: Your surgeon closes the hole with tissue from around your ear (a tissue graft).
Many people experience temporary hearing loss from a ruptured eardrum. Hearing can return to normal once the hole in your eardrum has closed.
In some cases, the rupture leads to repeated ear infections or other ear conditions. These complications can damage the structures inside your ear. Without treatment, you face a risk for permanent hearing loss.
Specialists in our Hearing Loss Program offer expert evaluations and treatment. You may need a hearing device or surgery to restore your hearing ability.
Perforated eardrums may lead to chronic ear infections, which can cause inner ear damage. This damage can cause issues with your balance.
You have access to the Stanford Health Care Balance Center if you experience long-term balance difficulties. We come up with a treatment plan to improve your balance after a complete evaluation of your symptoms. Our team combines the expertise of otologists (ENT), neurologists, rehabilitation medicine specialists, and orthopaedists.